This is based on observation and what I've learned over the years. These are not in any particular order.
A good writer will:-
A good writer will:-
- Seek feedback on their work and know criticism is never personal.
- Learn how to work out what criticism is valid and should be applied and which is an opinion you have good cause not to agree with or implement.
- Know the first draft is always rubbish. Ruder versions of that phrase are available...
- Accept that whether it's a short story or a novel, multiple drafts are a fact of life. Far from being a depressing thought, a good writer will realise their own imperfections and see drafts as a chance of ironing out at least some of them!
- Reads a lot - and realise non-fiction can help spark ideas for stories so reads plenty of that too.
- Writes a lot and across genres.
- Never gives up.
- Accepts that Murphy's Law for Writers includes the premise your toner cartridge will always run out without warning when printing out anything, usually a novel, to be sent to a publisher/agent. This is becoming less irritating with the increasing use of email for submissions. I welcome that development as I couldn't tell you how often I got caught out by this law!
- Gives out (especially on social media) and shares what they like (and it's not always about their own work either).
- Backs up their work frequently. Backs up their work frequently... Backs up... I once was caught out by a power cut and lost an evening's work. Fortunately I had notes and I have a good typing speed but I swore at the time never again. I also just swore...
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